Affluent Delhi loves to splurge on cars, property

Delhi’s per capita income is one of the highest in the country and three times the national average. Every fifth household in Delhi owns a car and 39% own two-wheelers. Buying and selling property seems to have become a hobby. HT reports. Tale of Delhi's riches

Delhi is prospering and how! Delhi’s per capita income is one of the highest in the country and three times the national average. Every fifth household in Delhi owns a car and 39% own two-wheelers. Buying and selling property seems to have become a hobby, with the real estate sector contributing to almost 25% of city’s gross domestic product.

The Economic Survey of Delhi 2012-2013, tabled by chief minister Sheila Dikshit on the floor of Delhi Assembly on Tuesday, has thrown up some interesting facts and numbers.

The total number of vehicles registered in Delhi increased from 31.64 lakh in 1999-2000 to 74.53 lakh in 2011-12. Because of the increase in per capita income, the number of vehicles now grow at 7.2% annually as compared to 4.72% in the last decade.

The per capita annual income in the national Capital increased by nearly 16% to Rs 2.01 lakh in 2012-13 compared to the last financial year. In 2011-2012, Delhi’s per capita income was Rs 1.73 lakh. The national average is Rs 61,564.

“The per capita income reflects the availability of ample employment opportunities in the city and satisfaction level of the residents,” Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit said.

According to the survey report, the service sector that includes hotels, restaurants, transport and real estate contributes 81.54% of gross state domestic product (GSDP).

The service sector contributed 82.52% to the GSDP in 2008-2009. The contribution of the secondary sector, which includes construction and manufacturing, has increased from 16.78% in 2008-09 to 17.69% in 2012-2013. The contribution of the agricultural sector is merely 0.77%.

While 28% of primary and middle-section students attend private schools in Delhi, the number increases to 43% when it comes to secondary and senior secondary level.

Indicating rapid urbanisation, from 304 villages in 1951 and 165 in 2001, the number of villages in 2011 has come down to 112.

While people are prospering, land under agricultures has shrinked drastically from 52,816 hectares in 2000-01 to 35,178 hectares in 2012-13.

As many as 1.74 lakh people are unemployed in Delhi. The figure constitutes 3.18 per cent of the metropolis’ total labour force.